Diagnostic Medlab has hired a film crew to interview patients emerging from the rooms of its rival, Labtests.

A 2-year-old girl became ill five minutes after drinking seawater at Narrow Neck Beach.

Collection centres open in central suburbs and on Waiheke Island.

Police have launched a homicide inquiry following the death of three-year-old Palmerston North girl Kash McKinnon.

Emergency services called because of visitor's fears for 3-year-old girl who later died in hospital.

Authorities have taken samples from the dog to find out if it is a victim of the toxin found in puffer fish that killed at least one dog on Narrow Neck Beach.

Police hope a post mortem on a three-year-old girl who died today of suspected head injuries will reveal more about the circumstances in which she died.

The three-year-old girl found unconscious at a Palmerston North home yesterday afternoon has died.

Health Minister Tony Ryall is distancing himself from a controversial recommendation that would in effect resurrect part of National's '90s health system.

Tetrodotoxin found in the dead dogs' vomit and in a sea slug sample taken from Narrow Neck Beach.

Patients are facing waits of up to 40 minutes - and allegedly much longer - to have blood tests at Auckland's new laboratory service.